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How to make time for relaxation during the Christmas season: My top 5 ingredients for the perfect festive night in.

The festive season is one of my absolute favourite times of year, from the positive Christmas cheer & vamped up social agenda, to the best excuse to shop and get dressed up, to the constant flow of Christmas parties and celebrations. It’s one of the most joyous times of year for me. But with that, it’s also one of the busiest and most crazy too. In the weeks before Christmas my agenda is packed from start to finish with wrapping up work projects, to post work dinners with friends, blogging events and parties, and not to mention the pressure to tackle Christmas shopping and prepare for the big day itself.

Its one of the busiest times of year for me, and so finding a balance between relaxing and partying is essential.

Finding moments to stay in, get cosy at home & generally take some time to relax and unwind is key … and who can deny that a classic Christmas movie, a good pair of PJ’s, a room full of candles and the best selection of party food isn’t the best way to spend a Friday night anyway right? So to encourage you to find the balance this Christmas, and inspire your cosy night in, I wanted to share a few of my favourite ingredients for the most relaxing, chilled out and festive ultimate festive night in. And who better to partner with than one of my favourite brands & my go to for all things home comfort, The White Company.

5 INGREDIENTS FOR THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS NIGHT IN

Your Most Comfy PJ’s

Unlike every other event in your festive calendar, your ultimate cosy night in requires no heels, no fancy dress and absolutely on makeup. The only sartorial mandatories are comfort and cosiness, and that’s where a good quality pair of pyjamas (Christmas print optional) come in. I am a big fan of a quality pair of PJ’s and this season i’m living in my new White Company Herringbone PJ’s. A chic white shirt & trouser combo, they’re the perfect winter pyjama and so so unbelievably comfortable. Teamed with my cashmere socks & super comfy lace bralet it’s the perfect night in attire.

A Festive Spread

A night in doesn’t mean a lack of festive celebrations, oh no. For my nights in a bottle of fizz (or mulled wine dependent on my mood) and a selection of my favourite festive treats is an absolute must. For me asparagus wrapped in parma ham (a favourite of mine), your classic dim sum selection, home made mince pies & freshly baked savoury Christmas treats are always on the cards. And actually the best thing about a festive spread is that not only is it far more delicious than any standard meal in my opinion (the best of everything I say) it’s also super easy to prepare and so much more fun to nibble on!

A Classic Christmas Movie

When it comes to entertainment, for me a selection of Christmas’s finest movies or the ultimate Christmas playlist is all you need. When you’re looking for a quiet night in, then popping on your favourite Christmas movie is always such a treat. My favourites, in no particular order are of course Elf, Miracle on 34th Street, Home Alone, Harry Potter (it always makes me feel festive), Love Actually, The Grinch & The Holiday. Guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit.

Winter Scents & A Log Fire

Just because you’re not our partying, it doesn’t mean you can’t create your own festive ambience. Getting cosy, unwinding & feeling in the festive spirit isn’t hard when you have the smell of cinnamon, nut meg & log fires burning away in the background. I love to fill my home with candles all year around, but at Christmas time I always add a few winter candles into the mix, this year I’m absolutely loving the White Company Winter candle & diffusers. They smell like Christmas and give the whole room such a lovely mood lighting when they’re all lit too! I’m lucky enough to have an open fire which I always light to really make the lounge feel cosy, and on top of that a sprinkling of fairy lights is sure to set the ambience.

The Ultimate Snuggle

And finally when it comes to a cosy night in, there is one ingredient which for me is utterly nonnegotiable, and that’s the ultimate knitted throw to snuggle up in. And where possible a matching cushion for good measure. My throw collection is quite extraordinary, not a night goes by without me snuggled up in one, but my favourite and most cosy throw of all is my White Company Eldon throw, heaven. In fact I love it so much I do indeed have the matching Nimes cushion.

These snuggle essentials, teamed with my comfiest PJ’s, mood lighting & the ultimate Christmas spread and movie makes for the perfect festive night in and the ideal combination to help you relax after a busy few weeks partying, Christmas shopping and generally preparing for the big day itself. During the run up to Christmas I like to have one of these nights in at least twice a week! Staying in, is the new going out don’t you know.